CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Using computer simulations, researchers at the University of Illinois have demonstrated a strategy for sequencing DNA by driving the molecule back and forth through a nanopore capacitor in a semiconductor chip. The technique could lead to a device that would read human genomes quickly and affordably.

Being able to sequence a human genome for $1,000 or less (which is the price most insurance companies are willing to pay) could open a new era in personal medicine, making it possible to precisely diagnose the cause of many diseases and tailor drugs and treatment procedures to the genetic make-up of an individual.

Despite the tremendous interest in using nanopores for sequencing DNA, it was unclear how, exactly, nanopores could be used to read the DNA sequence, said U. of I. physics professor Aleksei Aksimentiev. We now describe one such method.

Aksimentiev and collaborators describe the method in a paper accepted for publication in the journal Nano Letters, and posted on the journals Web site.

Through molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that back-and-forth motion of a DNA molecule in a nanopore capacitor 1 nanometer in diameter produces an electrostatic fingerprint that can be used to read the genetic sequence, said Aksimentiev, who also is a researcher at the Beckman Institute.

In the researchers simulations, performed at the universitys National Center for Supercomputing Applications, the nanopore capacitor consists of two conducting layers of doped silicon, separated by an insulating layer of silicon dioxide.

As DNA passes through the nanopore, the molecules electric field induces sequence-specific electrostatic potentials that can be detected at the top and bottom layers of the capacitor membrane.

A semiconductor device capable of reading the electrostatic potentials and decoding the genetic sequence is within the grasp of current technology, Aksimentiev said.

Nanometer pores in electronic membranes have been manufactured, and the voltage signals resulting from DNA movement through such pores have been recorded.
The next big challenge, Aksimentiev said, is to minimize noise in the system, and reduce the speed of DNA molecules moving through the pore.

(Date:4/11/2017)... 11, 2017 No two people are ... the New York University Tandon School of Engineering ... found that partial similarities between prints are common ... mobile phones and other electronic devices can be ... vulnerability lies in the fact that fingerprint-based authentication ...

(Date:4/5/2017)... , April 4, 2017 KEY FINDINGS ... anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 25.76% during ... diseases is the primary factor for the growth of ... report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4807905/ MARKET INSIGHTS The global ... product, technology, application, and geography. The stem cell market ...

(Date:3/30/2017)... , March 30, 2017 Trends, opportunities and ... and behavioral), by technology (fingerprint, AFIS, iris recognition, facial ... and others), by end use industry (government and law ... financial and banking, and others), and by region ( ... , Asia Pacific , and the ...

(Date:8/16/2017)... , Aug. 16, 2017 This year,s edition of the Inc. 5000 ... life sciences workforce solutions, has made the list for the third year ... the nation,s fastest-growing private companies based on a set of quantitative metrics. ... includes the fastest-growing companies in the Bay State . ... Inc. 5000 ...

(Date:8/15/2017)... , ... August 15, 2017 , ... Kapstone Medical ... 10 years of successes helping medical technology companies and inventors develop and safeguard their ... renowned full-service national engineering firm with a portfolio of clients in the United States ...

(Date:8/15/2017)... ... 15, 2017 , ... Any expert in stem cell research or stem cell ... than half a century. Despite their essential roles in human health and regenerative ... molecular tags developed for this purpose also tag other, more abundant, non-stem tissue cells ...

(Date:8/15/2017)... ... August 15, 2017 , ... Coffea arabica accounts for 70 ... factors. During this educational webinar, participants will learn about the importance of genomics ... better understanding of how genomics is important for coffee breeding improvement. , Attendees ...